All clothing is ugly these days

[Anonymous]

BR has lined wool pants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From an over-40 stylist/fashion blogger:

https://youlookfab.com/2017/09/05/five-missed-retail-opportunities/

She lists five retail opportunities that continue to be ignored by most of the fashion industry.
1. Tailored Tops
2. Dressy Footwear in Wide Widths
3. Designer Wear in Larger Sizes
4. Stocking the In-between size (She says that there is a notable difference between the largest size in Regular and the smallest size in Plus...this is no man’s land.)
5. Knee-Covering Dresses

Great post. I definitely relate to #1 and #5.

I would add the in-between size for heights. I am exactly average height for American women. Petites are too small for me. Regular is way too long on me (unless I'm wearing 6" heels, which I'm not), and requires tailoring of all pants. I love the Land's End work pants, because you order your inseam and it comes pre-tailored. I can't understand why more retailers can't do that.
And I totally second the idea of dressy shoes that are more comfortable and fit people with a wider foot. Most dress shoes look like they were made for someone whose feet were bound as a child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. FWIW, I think there's a happy medium between today's hodgepodge Sad Little House on the Prarie/Tudor Meets Wall Street look and desiring to look like a 90s Liz Claiborne ad.

Although the Liz stuff above is nicely timeless; minus the high-rise jeans and the hideous, chunky sandal-things, of course.

And while I started this as a styling/trend vent, it is true that construction, fabrication and quality/durability these days is lamentable, and yes EVEN AT THE HIGH END.

I think what many women are saying here is that they would like a work wardrobe based on those kinds of timeless classics made of quality fabrics, and they want each season to cycle in and out some of the "happy medium" items you refer to. And the happy medium, more trendy items don't necessarily need to be made to last (since they aren't intended to be worn forever), but they do need to be work-appropriate.

Right now, we have neither of these things. No one is selling timeless classics of quality fabrics/construction at a reasonable price,* and many of the trends right now are completely inappropriate for the office.

*And, sorry, $400 for a pair of pants is likely beyond the reach of most low-level and many mid-level professionals, outside of those in a few highly paid industries. And they especially can't afford them if they aren't going to last for many years.

I just got a Talbots catalog in the mail yesterday - it was as if they knew about this thread.

And I was surprised to see...lined pants for work!!!

I own nothing by Talbots (was a Limited devotee) but lots of this stuff looks promising: https://www.talbots.com/online/work-shop/_/N-4158043964
(I fully confess that I do not like the prices

as a 39 mom of 2 in a professional job but can wear jeans THANK GOD... but this link just no ! I am not 55 and its not 1992... what even are those colors Moss???...tan beige ??? eughhhh

I travel to UK for work a few times a year and shop at whistles/jigsaw/mint velvet to stock up... but even they have these odd twists, bare shoulders etc... Its so hard to shop...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. FWIW, I think there's a happy medium between today's hodgepodge Sad Little House on the Prarie/Tudor Meets Wall Street look and desiring to look like a 90s Liz Claiborne ad.

Although the Liz stuff above is nicely timeless; minus the high-rise jeans and the hideous, chunky sandal-things, of course.

And while I started this as a styling/trend vent, it is true that construction, fabrication and quality/durability these days is lamentable, and yes EVEN AT THE HIGH END.

I think what many women are saying here is that they would like a work wardrobe based on those kinds of timeless classics made of quality fabrics, and they want each season to cycle in and out some of the "happy medium" items you refer to. And the happy medium, more trendy items don't necessarily need to be made to last (since they aren't intended to be worn forever), but they do need to be work-appropriate.

Right now, we have neither of these things. No one is selling timeless classics of quality fabrics/construction at a reasonable price,* and many of the trends right now are completely inappropriate for the office.

*And, sorry, $400 for a pair of pants is likely beyond the reach of most low-level and many mid-level professionals, outside of those in a few highly paid industries. And they especially can't afford them if they aren't going to last for many years.

I just got a Talbots catalog in the mail yesterday - it was as if they knew about this thread.

And I was surprised to see...lined pants for work!!!

I own nothing by Talbots (was a Limited devotee) but lots of this stuff looks promising: https://www.talbots.com/online/work-shop/_/N-4158043964
(I fully confess that I do not like the prices

Those clothes are wearable. But, there was a time in the not-too-distant past, maybe 10 or 15 years ago, when Talbots had a decent designer, and the clothes looks a bit less generic. To me, these are almost Land's End clothes... (which are fine, but won't make you feel a tiny bit special)

[Anonymous]

NP. I also can't stand how badly made athletic wear has become. I used to be a Lululemon addict, but the rough seaming and chintzy fabrics have turned me off for good. I really don't want to be uncomfortable during a run or lifting session.

And no, I haven't gained weight, grown, shrunk, etc

[Anonymous]

I don't work out of the house, but I would wear something like this to work with a little sweater over it and a pair of pumps:

https://www.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/lauren-ralph-lauren-petites-floral-print-dress?ID=2587405&CategoryID=3985&LinkType=#fn=BRAND%3DArmani%20Collezioni;;Burberry;;Free%20People;;HALSTON%20HERITAGE;;Joie;;Laundry%20by%20Shelli%20Segal;;Levi's;;Ralph%20Lauren;;Soft%20Joie;;T%20Tahari;;Ted%20Baker;;Theory%26ppp%3D%26spp%3D5%26sp%3D6%26rid%3D121|BOOST%20SAVED%20SET%26spc%3D782%26rsid%3Dundefined%26pn%3D6|9|5|782

[Anonymous]

These pants are adorable as well:

https://www.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/armani-collezioni-stretch-wool-cropped-skinny-pants?ID=2427119&CategoryID=3985#fn=BRAND%3DArmani%20Collezioni;;Burberry;;Free%20People;;HALSTON%20HERITAGE;;Joie;;Laundry%20by%20Shelli%20Segal;;Levi's;;Ralph%20Lauren;;Soft%20Joie;;T%20Tahari;;Ted%20Baker;;Theory%26ppp%3D%26spp%3D28%26sp%3D6%26rid%3D121|BOOST%20SAVED%20SET%26spc%3D782%26rsid%3Dundefined%26pn%3D6|9|28|782

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's a mix of shitty quality and laughable cuts, and you can't decouple the two. For example, I had a FITTED, 3/4 sleeves stretch cotton blend sweater from the GAP that I wore for all four years of college in the early 2000's. It got washed and dried in dormitory appliances, never handled delicately, and it looked great with both jeans and nice trousers. Fast forward to today - that sweater from the GAP is now likely to be a TENT with slits up the sides and look most appropriate for slobbing around the house in. And after one cycle of wash and dry, will be a pilled ball of wrinkly ragged mess.

Preach

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. FWIW, I think there's a happy medium between today's hodgepodge Sad Little House on the Prarie/Tudor Meets Wall Street look and desiring to look like a 90s Liz Claiborne ad.

Although the Liz stuff above is nicely timeless; minus the high-rise jeans and the hideous, chunky sandal-things, of course.

And while I started this as a styling/trend vent, it is true that construction, fabrication and quality/durability these days is lamentable, and yes EVEN AT THE HIGH END.

I think what many women are saying here is that they would like a work wardrobe based on those kinds of timeless classics made of quality fabrics, and they want each season to cycle in and out some of the "happy medium" items you refer to. And the happy medium, more trendy items don't necessarily need to be made to last (since they aren't intended to be worn forever), but they do need to be work-appropriate.

Right now, we have neither of these things. No one is selling timeless classics of quality fabrics/construction at a reasonable price,* and many of the trends right now are completely inappropriate for the office.

*And, sorry, $400 for a pair of pants is likely beyond the reach of most low-level and many mid-level professionals, outside of those in a few highly paid industries. And they especially can't afford them if they aren't going to last for many years.

I just got a Talbots catalog in the mail yesterday - it was as if they knew about this thread.

And I was surprised to see...lined pants for work!!!

I own nothing by Talbots (was a Limited devotee) but lots of this stuff looks promising: https://www.talbots.com/online/work-shop/_/N-4158043964
(I fully confess that I do not like the prices

as a 39 mom of 2 in a professional job but can wear jeans THANK GOD... but this link just no ! I am not 55 and its not 1992... what even are those colors Moss???...tan beige ??? eughhhh

I travel to UK for work a few times a year and shop at whistles/jigsaw/mint velvet to stock up... but even they have these odd twists, bare shoulders etc... Its so hard to shop...

YES! "What even are those colors" EXACTLY. It's like, no no, not a deep emerald or a beautiful forest green--something just OFF of that. Everywhere you go, the colors are off--not ruby or cranberry, but RUST.

[Anonymous]

DO any of you complain? I was in Jcrew yesterday and I told two sales people that their new items looked awful.

One of them agreed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. FWIW, I think there's a happy medium between today's hodgepodge Sad Little House on the Prarie/Tudor Meets Wall Street look and desiring to look like a 90s Liz Claiborne ad.

Although the Liz stuff above is nicely timeless; minus the high-rise jeans and the hideous, chunky sandal-things, of course.

And while I started this as a styling/trend vent, it is true that construction, fabrication and quality/durability these days is lamentable, and yes EVEN AT THE HIGH END.

I think what many women are saying here is that they would like a work wardrobe based on those kinds of timeless classics made of quality fabrics, and they want each season to cycle in and out some of the "happy medium" items you refer to. And the happy medium, more trendy items don't necessarily need to be made to last (since they aren't intended to be worn forever), but they do need to be work-appropriate.

Right now, we have neither of these things. No one is selling timeless classics of quality fabrics/construction at a reasonable price,* and many of the trends right now are completely inappropriate for the office.

*And, sorry, $400 for a pair of pants is likely beyond the reach of most low-level and many mid-level professionals, outside of those in a few highly paid industries. And they especially can't afford them if they aren't going to last for many years.

I just got a Talbots catalog in the mail yesterday - it was as if they knew about this thread.

And I was surprised to see...lined pants for work!!!

I own nothing by Talbots (was a Limited devotee) but lots of this stuff looks promising: https://www.talbots.com/online/work-shop/_/N-4158043964
(I fully confess that I do not like the prices

I looked at the Talbot's pants. They were hideous.

[Anonymous]

This is why I just buy basics these days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. FWIW, I think there's a happy medium between today's hodgepodge Sad Little House on the Prarie/Tudor Meets Wall Street look and desiring to look like a 90s Liz Claiborne ad.

Although the Liz stuff above is nicely timeless; minus the high-rise jeans and the hideous, chunky sandal-things, of course.

And while I started this as a styling/trend vent, it is true that construction, fabrication and quality/durability these days is lamentable, and yes EVEN AT THE HIGH END.

I think what many women are saying here is that they would like a work wardrobe based on those kinds of timeless classics made of quality fabrics, and they want each season to cycle in and out some of the "happy medium" items you refer to. And the happy medium, more trendy items don't necessarily need to be made to last (since they aren't intended to be worn forever), but they do need to be work-appropriate.

Right now, we have neither of these things. No one is selling timeless classics of quality fabrics/construction at a reasonable price,* and many of the trends right now are completely inappropriate for the office.

*And, sorry, $400 for a pair of pants is likely beyond the reach of most low-level and many mid-level professionals, outside of those in a few highly paid industries. And they especially can't afford them if they aren't going to last for many years.

I just got a Talbots catalog in the mail yesterday - it was as if they knew about this thread.

And I was surprised to see...lined pants for work!!!

I own nothing by Talbots (was a Limited devotee) but lots of this stuff looks promising: https://www.talbots.com/online/work-shop/_/N-4158043964
(I fully confess that I do not like the prices

as a 39 mom of 2 in a professional job but can wear jeans THANK GOD... but this link just no ! I am not 55 and its not 1992... what even are those colors Moss???...tan beige ??? eughhhh

I travel to UK for work a few times a year and shop at whistles/jigsaw/mint velvet to stock up... but even they have these odd twists, bare shoulders etc... Its so hard to shop...

YES! "What even are those colors" EXACTLY. It's like, no no, not a deep emerald or a beautiful forest green--something just OFF of that. Everywhere you go, the colors are off--not ruby or cranberry, but RUST.

I actually like the moss. i would do that moss feather blouse with the pants. i would try to break it up somehow with a cardigan or some accesssories. those pants are very nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't work out of the house, but I would wear something like this to work with a little sweater over it and a pair of pumps:

https://www.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/lauren-ralph-lauren-petites-floral-print-dress?ID=2587405&CategoryID=3985&LinkType=#fn=BRAND%3DArmani%20Collezioni;;Burberry;;Free%20People;;HALSTON%20HERITAGE;;Joie;;Laundry%20by%20Shelli%20Segal;;Levi's;;Ralph%20Lauren;;Soft%20Joie;;T%20Tahari;;Ted%20Baker;;Theory%26ppp%3D%26spp%3D5%26sp%3D6%26rid%3D121|BOOST%20SAVED%20SET%26spc%3D782%26rsid%3Dundefined%26pn%3D6|9|5|782

That's a cocktail dress, not a dress for work, unless you are in a traditionally female job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't work out of the house, but I would wear something like this to work with a little sweater over it and a pair of pumps:

https://www.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/lauren-ralph-lauren-petites-floral-print-dress?ID=2587405&CategoryID=3985&LinkType=#fn=BRAND%3DArmani%20Collezioni;;Burberry;;Free%20People;;HALSTON%20HERITAGE;;Joie;;Laundry%20by%20Shelli%20Segal;;Levi's;;Ralph%20Lauren;;Soft%20Joie;;T%20Tahari;;Ted%20Baker;;Theory%26ppp%3D%26spp%3D5%26sp%3D6%26rid%3D121|BOOST%20SAVED%20SET%26spc%3D782%26rsid%3Dundefined%26pn%3D6|9|5|782

That's a cocktail dress, not a dress for work, unless you are in a traditionally female job.

indeed. very pretty. a 50 year old woman could wear it on a date or to a garden party and feel quite appropriately dressed.